Preparation for game hits the fan: Mike Holzheimer

As we approach Week 9 of the 2012 regular season for high school football, I am reminded of just how captivating this sport is to all of the schools, students, teachers, players, coaches and fans each and every season.

There is nothing quite like sitting in the stands on Friday and Saturday nights, sometimes under very warm or extremely chilly weather conditions, to cheer on your favorite team.

There is just something about this game, from youth levels to high school, from college to professional, that has every gridiron fanatic heading out to a local stadium or glued to the big screen for the weekend’s telecasts.

My job as a sportswriter allows me to experience many special moments up close and personal. Believe me, the overall atmosphere of high school football has taken on a whole new look since the days of my youth, whether watching my Eagles do battle for St. Edward or later traveling to Parma’s Byers Field and seeing my brothers play for Padua.

For example, fans just don’t go to the game anymore. There’s a whole new strategy to establishing an organized series of pre-game events. The art of tailgating has taken over even in high school parking lots among parents, kids and booster club members.

Earlier this year, I had arrived at one game site early to conduct a feature interview. To my surprise, I had to search for a parking spot at 3:15 in the afternoon, even though the game wouldn’t kickoff until 7 p.m.

It was beyond a party-like atmosphere with good times being had by all in anticipation of the “big game.”

Cars, vans and SUVs were everywhere, stocked with enough food and beverages to last one for months, while smoke came off the grills filling the air as burgers, brats and sausages were cooked to “tailgate” perfection.

Music was pumping out — primarily the Ohio State “Hang on Sloopy” anthem — to get everyone appropriately psyched.

Footballs were flying too, as pickup games added to the festivities (or perhaps helping to work off a few of those just-devoured Italian sausages.) And of course, it’s not a true tailgate experience without the presence of a cornhole game or two.

Fans, especially the youngsters, won’t even think about attending a game unless they have painted their face with the colors of their favorite team. Of course, wearing the proper attire consisting of a favorite player’s jersey or a sweatshirt properly displaying your school’s team is a must upon one’s arrival to the stadium.

Finally, the main event arrives and everyone is caught up in the pageantry. The band proves that all of those early morning practice hours paid off as song selections and choreographic moves are done with the utmost in precision and entertainment.

The support and enthusiasm from cheerleaders and drill-team members also adds to the Friday night fun, while the players charge onto that field with eagerness and determination, no matter what the previous week’s outcome happened to be.

And as the players burst through the circled paper sign drawn up by the cheerleaders, with the home team’s public address announcer taking his voice up a few decibels for the pre-game introductions, the night’s question of “are you ready for some football” is answered with a very resounding “YES!”

For some, sadly, such an eagerly anticipated tradition of loudly welcoming the home team to the field escapes their attention.

I continue to chuckle at those students who buy a ticket to “Friday Night Fever” just to be social. I recall watching some teens sitting in the stands seemingly more interested as to how many text messages they could send, and waiting for a response that would come within seconds of the message being sent. (How did I survive my youth without a cellular phone?)

Now, of course, it’s who can tweet and/or post a comment to Facebook faster than the speed of sound. I still maintain the notion that twitter was the worst invention for athletes, especially those at the professional level who now engage in more “trash talking” via the social media than I care to listen to.

Oh well, let’s turn our sights and focus on the field of play. It’s game time!

Whether your high school team is contending for a championship, or looking to establish a new tradition, get out to a game and support these kids. If the college or pro stadium is your thing regarding the engaging in tailgate activities, please do so safely.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.